It feels absolutely amazing when you accomplish a big project. It feels even better when you accomplish a list full of projects. With the cooler weather approaching and the change of the seasons upon us, we are beginning to list out the projects we'd need to finish before the snow and the holidays arrive.

But as the list grows, it's super important to recognize the priorities. We all have things we want to get done. But let's be honest, there are a number of projects we would like to work on, and a number of projects that we would rather NOT have to do. Working in the garden, prepping and writing for the blog, thinking through the holiday season and planning for travels and quests; these are all projects and tasks we look forward to. Taking down the pool, changing the oil in our vehicles, repairing leaky pipes; well, these are projects that we would rather now have to do.

But what do you do when the less desired project is a project that needs your immediate attention? Well, you just have to do it, right? And that's what we're doing over the next couple of weeks. We're making our list and prioritizing what needs to get done right away. This past weekend, the priority was getting one of our cars back on the road!

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It's time, time to change the oil in the Tundra! 

Welcome friends, today's post shares another milestone moment. A couple of weeks ago, though we didn't blog it, we replaced our front rotors and pads.No one likes to be hit in the face with a repair bill. By doing the work ourselves, we dramatically reduce costs. This time 'rond,  we tackled the oil change.

Check out our vlog episode, and let's watch togthter!

To learn more about The Church of Eleven22, click here: www.coe22.com.

To learn more about The Church of Eleven22, click here: www.coe22.com.

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The ducklings are growing. We've been keeping them outside during the day, then in the shed at night. Every morning Jay let's them out of the shed and leads them to the duck run. Then every night, Jay leads them from the duck run to the shed. It's time to move them into the duck hut. But before we do that, we have to make a few changes to the Duck Hut.

Jay built the Duck Hut a couple of years ago. However, time and weather have caused some much need repairs. We need a new roof and a new floor. Plus, we want to make a few changes to make the Duck Hut a little more flexible and usable.

Check out part 1 and part 2 of our Duck Hut Renovation! 

To learn more about The Church of Eleven22, click here: www.coe22.com.

​To learn more about The Church of Eleven22, click here: www.coe22.com.

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It's been a very active couple of weeks at the Higham house, and the garage has become the dumping grounds for a lot of stuff. But it's time to not only clean up the garage, but make some changes to put things away, store what needs to be stored, and throw out what needs to be thrown out. So Let's jump into in the garage and making this space useful for more than collecting junk.

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It's week seven of our series, STAND FIRM.
This week, Pastor Joby returns with an incredible message on the Sword of the Spirit.
Let's jump into Ephesians 6:17
​
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 
​Ephesians 6:10-17 ESV

Sermon Texts: Genesis 3:1-7; Deuteronomy 8:3; 1 Samuel 7:3; Psalm 91; 119; 139:14;
Matthew 4:1-11; 6:24; Luke 4:1-13; John 8:31-32; Romans 8:31-39; 12:1-2;
1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 2 Corinthians 2:11; 5:17; Ephesians 6:10-17; Colossians 2:13-15;
​1 Timothy 6; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; 1 John 2:15-16

Read Ephesians 6:10-17; 2 Timothy 3:16 and Luke 4:1-13.

What stood out to you in the sermon this week and what did God reveal to you in the Scriptures, maybe for the first time?

THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT:

Read Ephesians 6:17.

​How does the Sword of the Spirit differ from the other pieces of spiritual armor mentioned in Ephesians 6, and why is it critical in spiritual warfare?

• It’s the only offensive weapon we have been given to fight against the enemy (although it can also be a defensive weapon). It’s the word of God. It’s truth - John 17:17; God-breathed - 2 Tim 3:16-17; living, active and sharp - Hebrews 4:12; a light to our path - Psalm 119:105; eternal - Matt 24:35; Isaiah 40:8; a shield of refuge - Proverbs 30:5 and so much more.

Who or what should we use the Sword of the Spirit against and who should we NOT attack with it?

• We are called to a spiritual war against Satan, not a war against people. We are NOT to use the bible as a sledgehammer to fight and bludgeon people. We are not to cast judgment or threaten, but to share God’s love, compassion and truth and allow the Holy Spirit to convict and call to repentance when necessary.

TEMPTATION AND IDENTITY:

Discover: Read Matthew 4:1-11.

When the enemy comes at you with mind games, what are some specific strategies you can use to identify and resist the devil's lies?

• The enemy wants you to doubt your beliefs and believe your doubts. Know your identity in Christ. Suit up for war. Identify the lies of the enemy. Read Romans 12:1-2. Do not conform to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Have your “it is written”s and remember that “it is finished.” You are called to abide in Jesus. Read John 8:31-32.

Deepen: Share your routine for reading the Bible, praying and abiding in Jesus.

Discover: What can you learn from the fact that Jesus was tempted immediately after his high, holy moment of baptism?

• Often the enemy attacks when we feel invulnerable or we’re on a high. It’s not a sin to be tempted. Even Jesus was tempted. It only becomes sin when you act on the temptation.

Deepen: Share a time you’ve faced temptation after a high moment in your life.

• You will still be tempted even after you’ve been saved. We live in a fallen world. Even though we’ve been given a new heart and a new spirit at salvation—and the Holy Spirit to live in us—you still have the same mind. You are most vulnerable to temptation and sin at your highest and lowest moments - remember HALTS: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired, Stressed. When you do fall to sin meditate on Romans 8:1, repent and return to the loving arms of the father.

Action Step

Where in your life are you believing the lies from the enemy? Find your, “it is written”s in scripture to counter these lies. For example, if you struggle with feeling unloved, meditate on and memorize Psalm 139:14, which reminds you that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made." 

​To learn more about The Church of Eleven22, click here: www.coe22.com. ​

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It's week six of our series, STAND FIRM.
Pastor Brit returns and leads us as we talk about the Helmet of Salvation.
Go ahead and grab your Bible and let's get to Ephesians 6:10-17
​
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God,
​Ephesians 6:10-17a ESV

​
Sermon Text: Romans 5:1-2, 10; 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, 10:3-5;
Ephesians 6:17; Colossians 2:13-14; 1 John 3:8

Read Ephesians 6:17; Romans 5:1-11.

What stood out to you in the sermon this week and what did God reveal to you in the Scriptures, maybe for the first time?
SALVATION:
Where does the helmet of salvation come from and why do you think it’s a helmet?

Read Ephesians 6:17, Romans 3:23 and 6:23.

What do we mean when we talk about salvation from sin?

• Sin is any feeling, thought, speech, or action that comes from a heart that does not treasure Christ over all things. Sin is not a struggle, it's a state of being. We didn't just trip on it, we were born with a taste for it, and we were born hungry. “For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23a) You can try to self-atone for your sin, which is impossible, or trust in Jesus. Salvation is rescue from sin. Jesus is the only one who can rescue us from the death of sin and give us eternal life.

Pastor Britt said there are two parts to our salvation: being saved by Jesus and thinking like someone who is saved. Discuss what that means and how you can act that out in your daily life.

• If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus died for your sins and God raised him from the dead, you are saved. Thinking saved is continually recognizing God’s truth in his word and understanding His love for you. Acting saved is obeying God’s commands out of gratitude for His love through the power of the Holy Spirit. Thinking and acting like you’re saved is part of your progressive sanctification that Jesus is doing in you.

TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE:

Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

Discover: How do you take every thought captive?

• Recognize the negative or sinful thoughts that try to take root in your mind. Call them out as the lies that they are. Replace those thoughts with the truth of God’s word. Meditate on the word of God and the Gospel. Read Romans12:2 and Philippians 4:8. If you’re in Christ, you’re not guilty or dirty anymore, You have been washed by the blood of the lamb! You are clean!

Deepen:

Turn to page two of the Eleven22 Times newspaper. What are some of the lies and truths from the “It Is Written” section that apply to you.

• You may also share any of your favorite scriptures on God’s love for you, your salvation, how to resist temptation, trust in God, etc.

ADOPTION:

Read Ephesians 1:5, John 1:12 and 1 John 3:1-3.

What does it mean to you to be adopted by God?

• Remember Pastor Britt’s story about the letter from a father to his adopted daughter and how God knows every bad thing about you and STILL says, “I’ll take him, or I’ll take her.”

Action Step
Capture Your Thoughts: This week, practice taking every thought captive, especially those negative or sinful thoughts that try to take root in your mind.

​Memorize 2 Corinthians 10:5 and consciously challenge thoughts that contradict the truth of the Gospel. Replace them with affirmations of God's forgiveness, love and your identity in Christ. 

To learn more about The Church of Eleven22, click here: www.coe22.com. ​